26th annual event touted as one of the best ever
story and photos by S. Rotan Hale
The 26th Annual Henry Street Heritage Festival held in Elmwood Park, Saturday, Sept. 19 was simply one of the best.
Over the years since its beginning, actually on Henry Street, the festival with its merchandise and food vendors, an abundance of information and the recent addition of a beer garden, has grown to something quite phenomenal.
The festival, has transitioned into a musical experience like none other in the vicinity. From local talented gospel groups, the Roanoke’s Got Talent Contest and several rocking R&B bands that all lead into an evening showcase that features an incredible lineup of international recording artist, one could argue that its the beat and the big names that truly draw the sold-out crowds.
This year the festival offered those with a sweet tooth an additional treat with the return of the Dessert Contest. Siclinda Canty-Elliott’s apple cobbler, that was all the rave, won both the Judge’s Choice Award and took the Second Place People’s Choice award.
However, First Place Peoples Choice Award went to Monica Johnson with her delicious wine cake and Third Place went to Dr. Janet Johnson for her pumpkin cheese cupcakes.
Other contestants included: Myrtle Major Allen, Destiny Chambers, Sandy McCullar, Sylvia Long and Barbara Phifer who all presented fantastic desserts. Dessert Contest judge was Darla Mehrkens, catering manager with Carilion Clinic.
Local talented amateurs have their moment in the spotlight through the Roanoke’s Got Talent contest. This year’s winners were: First Place–Kai Washington Brown (dance); Second Place– Shaquauna Shatwente (vocalist) and Third Place–Clifford illiams (vocalist).
Lady Inez, on-air personality (VIBE-100) was emcee for most of the morning activities. The first of the heavy hitters on stage for the VIBE-100 evening showcase hosted by on-air personality, Kianna Price Wade, was Tony Terry who delivered a set of love songs especially geared to the ladies.
Terry emerged on the music scene in the late 80’s with his first single “She’s Fly” which he performed with a combination of some of his other hits (i.e. My Heart Is Beating, Everlasting Love, et. al) and spiced it up with Adore by Prince. Terry closed with his mega-hit When I’m With You that perfectly sealed his strong performance.
Leela James with her powerful full-throated vocals and massive afro blasted the crowd with a power-packed medley of mini-mixes before slipping into a rocking “We’re Gonna Party all Night” followed by a soulful and throbbing “Tell Me You Love Me.” Swinging her bodacious hips with an “in-your-face” style, she boldly pranced back and forth across the stage throughout an extremely energized performance that perpetually pumped the crowd higher and higher…
James spiced her 20-min performance up with empowering dialoge that served to energize the crowd as much as her music. “If you believe that you want everything that was taken from you, say I want it all,” she forcefully encouraged–and the crowd followed suit. Her dynamic performance was nothing less than incredible!
Philly native Vivian Green with her passionate and lilting voice, came on strong with love songs that resonated well with the crowd. She performed selections from several of her 5 albums dating back to 2002 as Emotional Roller Coaster and “Gotta Go, Gotta Leave, (2005). Backing her was hip-hop artist/producer Kwame who played tracks and joined her on “Only You.” She wrapped up with I’m Not Broken and Get Right Back to My Baby–both from her latest album Vivid also produced by Kwame.
During her performance she said because of her early material (songs of failed love) people had labeled her a “man basher.” To that, Green’s latest release “Vivid” and her performance sent a more balanced upbeat message that was belted out with anthem-like force to reflect her new approach.
Chris “Kid” Reid and Chris “Play” Martin known more as Kid ‘n’ Play of the movie House Party rocked the house adding their brand of hip-hop to the show. It’s always refreshing to witness clean intelligible rap in its rarest form and these brothers do it well.
Headliner Johnny Gill hit the stage and was immediately blazing with high-energy gyrations that had all the ladies under his spell in a feverish frenzy. With his amazing skill and stage presence, Gill still has what it takes to prove himself as one of the industries greatest and most effective showmen.
With that big toothy smile, sweating profusely he was all over the place. Gill was the only performer among the show’s lineup to jump down in the crowd. Some brothers just have what it takes to drive the ladies wild and some actually cried.
Gill simply took the ladies on a journey singing many of his past hits as well as several from his latest release Game Changer that is every bit as smooth and sultry as everything he touches.
Still reeling from the excitement of all the festival’s activities, one young attendant was overheard asking another, “What would we do without the Henry Street Festival.” The other just sat puzzled–baffled by the thought.
